Adjustable chair.



J. F. WALTON.

ADIUSTABLE CHAIR,

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1915.

l ,2? l ,63 5 Patented July 9, 1918..

6 SHEETSSHEET I.

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ADJUSTABLE CHAIR! APPLICATION FILED JAN-26,1915.

1,271,635. Patented July 9, 1918.

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Gina M2435 J. F. WALTON.

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR.

APPLICATION Fl LED JAN.26, 1915.

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J. F. WALTON.

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR.

APPLiCATlON FILED IAN.26, m5.

1 ,27 1,635. Patented July 9, 1918..

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J. F. WALTON.

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.26,1915- Patented July 9, 1918. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 5 Witnesses m: mmRJs FEYERS ca, FNOTU-LIYMIL. wasmucmn. 0.1:.

J. F. WALTON.

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR. APPLICATION FILED JAN.26,1915.

1 ,271 ,635. Patented July 9, 1918.

6 SHEETSSHEET 6.

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JERROLI) F. WALTON, OF STUBGIS, MICHIGAN,

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR the structure shown and described in the application of Roy N.- G-age, Serial No. 846,620, filed June 22, 1914:.

The objects of this invention are:

First, to provide in a chair having an adjustable back, a sheet metal casing extending between the front and rear rails of the chairframe and supporting and guiding the clutch mechanism for locking the back in adjusted position, said casing being of such a construction that it can be very easily made from a stamping of sheet metal and serving to brace and strengthen the chair frame.

Second, to provide in a chair having an adjustable back and a slide bar connected with said back, brake means for retarding the movement of said slide bar and thus preventing a sudden movement of the back when the clutch is released.

Third, to provide in a chair having an adjustable back, a slide bar connected therewith and springs for drawing said back forwardly, means for deadening the vibration of said springs to prevent the singing thereof. I

F urther objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

Structures constituting preferred embodi ments of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a fragmentary top plan view of a chair equipped with my invention.

Fig.- II is a bottom plan view of a chair equipped with my invention.

Fig. III is a vertical sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figs. I, II and IV, showing the ball clutch mechanism and the brake mechanism, and the manner in which these parts are carried by the casing.

Fig. IV is a transverse sectional view on Specification of Lttrs Patent.

' Patented July e, 1918.

Application filed January 26, 1915. Serial No. 4,437.

the line H of Figs. I, II and III, showing in cross section the ball clutch and the ball actuating member therefor.

Fig. IV is a transverse sectional view on the line 49% of Figs. I and II, showing in detail the connection between the bar 26 and the casing 6.

Fig. V is an inverted perspective view of the casing 6.

Fig. VI is a plan view of the sheet metal blank from which the casing 6 is formed.

Fig. VII is a detail perspective View of the ball retaining block.

Fig. VIII is a detail perspective view of the end of the ball actuating bar 24.

Fig. IX is a perspective view of the forward end of the slide bar 11.

Fig. X is an inverted perspective view of the brake shoe 88.

Fig XI is a detail perspective View of the bracket 40 carrying the screw 43 for adjusting the brake shoe pressing spring 38.

Fig. XII is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 12'12 of Fig. II, showing in detail the means for deadening the vibration of the spring.

Fig. XIII is a vertical sectional view on a line corresponding to the line 33 of Figs. I, II and IV, with the brake shoe 33 omitted.

Fig. XIV is a fragmentary top plan view of a chair equipped with a modified form of my invention.

Fig. XV is a fragmentary bottom' plan view showing the casing, the slide bar and the clutch mechanism in. the modified form of my invention.

Fig.- XVI is a plan view of the blank from which. the casing shown in ,Figs. XIV and XV is formed.-

Fig. XVII is an enlarged, fragmentary,

sectional view on the line l71'Z of Figs. XIV, XV and XVIII, showing in detail the ball actuating bar and the ball clutch.

Fig. XVIII is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view on the line 18-18 of Figs. XIV, XV, and XVII, showing in detail the ball clutch mechanism and the connection for the forward ends of the springs.

Fig. XIX is a fragmentary top plan view of a chair equipped with another modifica tion of my invention.

Fig. XX is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the casing shown in F ig. XIX.

Fig. XXI is a plan view of the sheet metal blank from which the casing shown in Figs. XIX and XX is formed.

Fig. XXII is an enlarged, detail, vertical, sectional view on the line 2222 of Figs- XIX and XXIII, showing the ball clutch mechanism.

Fig. XXIII is a-fragmentary, transverse, sectional view on the line 23-23 of Figs.

XIX and XXII, showing in detail the ball clutch and the ball actuating :bar therefor. Fig. XXIII is a detail sectional v1ew on .the line 23 23 of Fig. XIX.

Fig. XXIV is a detail perspective view of r the bifurcated link connecting the slide bar with the adjustable back.

Fig. XXV is a fragmentary, top plan view V the brace bar 96.

Fig. XXVII is an enlarged, detail, sectional view on the line'2727 of Figs. XXV and XXVI, showing in detail the ball actuating bar and the supporting brace therefor.

Fig. XXVIIIis a detail perspective view of the supporting brace for the ball actuating bar.

. In the drawings, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the sectionallines.

Considering the numbered parts of the drawing, I have shown my invention applied to a chair having the usual corner posts 2, connected by the side rails 1 1 the front rail 1, and the rear rail 1 The arms 2*- are carried by the tops of the posts 2 in the usual manner. The adjustable hack 3 is pivoted-tothe rear posts 2 by the pivots 4. At the corners of the frame are secured the cleats 5, 5 upon which the seat frame rests. I V

A channel shaped casing 6, having laterally bent ears 7, 7 at the forward ends thereof, is secured to the front rail 1 by screws 9 passing through holes provided in said ears 7. The rear end of said casing 6 is split to form a pa r of rcarwardly extending arms 6 provided at their rear ends with laterally directed ears 8, 8 through which screws 9 are passed to fasten the rear end of the casing to the rear rail 1". Stifiening ribs 10, 10 are formed in the rearwardly directed arms 6,'6, as shown in Figs. V and VI. This casing 6, secured as it is to the front and rear rails and extending between the same, assists in bracing framework of the chair and carries the clutch mechanism by means of which the adjustable back 7 3 is locked in adjusted position.

A channel shaped slidebar '11 disposed within said caslng 6 18 connected at its rear ,271,ess

3. It will be seen that, as the back 3 is" moved on its pivots 4, the channel shaped slide bar 11 will be reciprocated within the casing 6 by which it is guided and supported. The channel-shaped slide bar 11 is disposed within the casing 6 with its channel facing upwardly, as shown in Fig. III, and a block 1a is disposedwithin the channel of the guide bar at the forward end thereof. Tongues 15 are struck out from the side walls of the channel-shaped guide bar 11 and are turned over and engaged in a notch formed in the block 14. Block 14 is of such a thickness relative to the slide bar 11 that the top thereof projects a slight distance above the top of the slide bar walls so thatthe of the block lat en ages the top of the casing 6 and forms a guiding surface for the channeleshaped slide bar 11, as appears in Figs. III and IX. 7 V

A plurality of openings 16 are provided in the bottom of the slide bar 11, said open- "ings forming ball seats and being adapted to receive the upper portion of the clutch ball 18. The ball retaining block 17 is carried by the channel shaped casing 6, being secured thereto by means of the rivets 20 passing through the sidewalls of said casing and through said block, as shown in Figs. III and XIII. Said block is provided with a groove or notch 19 extending transversely thereof and adapted toreceive the clutch 1 oall 18, and with a smaller groove 19 at the bottom of the groove 19. I 7

Fingers 21 are struck out and bent laterally from the side walls of the channel shaped slide bar. 11, at the forward end thereof, s shown in Figs. III and IX.: The

springs are secured at their forward ends to said fingers 21 and, at their rear ends, to the lugs struck up from the arms 6 near the rear ends thereof. Slots 32 are formed in the sidewalls of the casing, as shown, in Fig. V, and the fingers 21 are'disposed in said slot 32 and move back and forth in the same as the slide bar 11 moves back and forth in the casing. tinued into the laterally directed ears 7, as shown in Fig. V, for convenience in assemblin g so that the fingers 21 can slip through the ends of slots 32 in the ears 7 in order to assemble the slide bar 11 within the cas' ing 6. V v

A ball actuating bar 24, which in this instance is a round rod, has its extreme end flattened, as at 30, a beveled portion 31 being interposed between the fiat portion and the body of the rod 24. The end'of the rod is disposed in the groove 19' of the block 17, said rod passing through slots 32 provided in the side walls of the casing A brace member 26 is secured at one end to the side rail 1' and is attachedat the The slots 32 are con- 7 other end to the side wall of easing 6 by means of rivet and rivet 26", The bell crank lever is pivoted to the brace mem ber 26 at 26 and the outer end of the bar 24 is secured to one arm of said bell crank lever. A push rod'27, which extends up wardly through the guide rail 1, is secured to the other arm of the bell crank lever 25. The push rod 27 extends upwardly through one of the arms 2 and is provided with a push button 28 on the upper end thereof. A spring 29 connects the arm of the bell crank lever which is connected to the rod 24 wlth the brace member 26, said spring forcing the ball actuating bar 24 into projected position so as to lift the ball 18 into one of the ball seats 16 of the slide bar 11.

A brake shoe 33, which may be made of chilled steel so as to provide a good wearing surface, is disposed in the forward end of the casing 6, said brake shoe being provided with a pair of depending legs at the forward end of the same and a pair of legs 34 at the rear end of the same. The

' brake shoe is provided at its rear end with a shoulder 36 which engages the shoulder 37 formed on the forward end of the ball retaining block 17 to limit the downward movement of said brake shoe. A leaf spring 38 is carried by a pin 39 fixed in the side walls of the. casing 6 and said spring is adapted to bear on the under surface of the brake shoe 33 to lift the same upwardly in the casing. A bracket 40, provided with up standing flanges 41 is secured to the casing 6 by means of the rivets 42 passing through the side walls of the casingand the flanges 41. The bracket carries a screw 43 which engages the free end of the spring 38 so as to adjust the same within the casing 6 to I vary the pressure of the spring 38 upon the brake shoe 33. The upper surface of the brake shoe 33 engages the lower surface of the slide bar 11 when the latter is moved toward the front of the casing 6 and the pressure of the brake shoe 33 retards the rearward movement of the slide bar 11 due to the springs 22, when the clutch mechanism is released. This prevents the back moving forward with a sudden movement and a bang when the clutch is released. In Fig. XIII, I have shown a casing with the brake means omitted.

hen the clutch is released and the parts move under the influence of the springs 22, the contact of the metal parts with each other causes the springs 22 to vibrate and sing. To prevent this, I secure to the springs, as at 45, a paper rope 44 which is disposed within the coiled spring and prevents the vibration of the same. This eliminates the objectionable noise when the metal parts contact with each other.

In Fig. VI, I have shown a plan view of the blank from which the casing 6 is formed.

An inspection of this will show the manner in which the slots, stiffening ribs and rivet holes are formed. It will be readily seen that the casing can be formed from a blank of sheet metal with a very small amount of waste.

In Figs. XIV to XVIII inclusive, I have shown a modification of my invention. In these views the parts of the chair, including the posts 2, 2, the side rails 1 front rail 1 and rear rail 1 cleats 5, arms 2 and back 3, with the downwardly depending rod 13 are the same as in the preferred form of my construction. In this modification. I provide a channel shaped casing 45 with laterally turned flanges 46 at the forward end by means of which it is secured to the forward rail 1 and laterally directed flanges 47 at the rear end by means of which it is secured to the rear rail 1 At the rear of the casing 45 a slot 48 is provided through which the link 12 connected with the lower end of the rod 13 extends. A slide bar 49, provided with a plurality of openings 50 forming ball seats is slidably disposed with in said casing 45 in a slot 54 formed in the top of ball retaining block 54. From the rear end of the slide bar 49 extends the part 51 provided with a pair of down-turned parallel flanges 52 to which the forward end of the link 12 is secured by means of the pin 53. The ball retaining block 54 is secured to the casing 45 by means of the rivets 55 as shown in Fig. 15. Said block is provided with a ball retaining chamber 56 and a groove 57 extending transversely of said block and opening into the bottom of the ball retaining chamber 56. The ball retaining chamber is of such a size as to receive the clutch ball 58 which is adapted to be lifted into engagement with any one of the ball seats 50. A pin 59 is carried by the forward end of the slide bar 49, said pin, extending upwardly through the slot 60 formed in the forward end of the casing 45. The springs 61 are secured at their forward ends to the pin 60 and at their rear ends to lugs 62 carried by the casing The brace member 63 is secured at 64 to the side rail 1% the inner end of said brace member being secured at 65 to the top ofv the casing 45. as

shown in Figs. Xiv and XVII. A bell crank lever 66 is pivoted on pivot 66 to said brace member 63, the said bell crank being connected to the outer end of the ball actuating'bar 68, the inner end of which has a fiat portion 69 and a beveled portion 70 adapted to engage the clutch ball 58. The inner end of said ball actuating bar 68 is disposed in the slot 5'7 formed in the ball retaining block 54. A spring 71 is connected to said brace member 63 and to one arm of said bell crank 66 so as to normally hold said ball actuating bar 68 projected. Said bar is actuated to release the clutch by a push rod and push button, as in the preferred construction. In Fig. XVI, I have shown a plan view of the metal blank from which the casing 45 is formed.

In Figs. XIX to XXIV, inclusive, I have shown a second modification of my construction. In these figures the frame work of the chair, including the posts 2, the rails 1, 1 and 1 the back 3, the pivots 4 and the cleats 5 are the same as in the preferred form. In this modification, I provide a channel shaped casing 7 2 provided at its forward end with the laterally turned flanges 73 by which it is secured to thefront rail 1. The rear end of said casing is slit to form the rearwardlyextending arms 4, provided with the laterally directed flanges 7 5 secured to the rear rail 1 A slide bar 76, provided on its lower surface with a plurality of notches 7 7 forming ball seats, is slidably dis-,

, posed within said channel shaped casing 72,

as shown in Fig. XXII. Slots 7 8 are formed in the side walls of said channel shaped casing 72, as shown in Fig. XX, and a pin 79 extends through the rear end of slide bar 76 and through said slots 78, as shown in Figs. XIX and XX. A link 80 is connected at its rear end to the rod 13 dependingfrom the back 3, the forward end of said link being bifurcated and having the arms 81 extending on either side of the casing 72. The pin 79 passes through the ends of the arms 81 and through the slide bar 7 6 so that the link 80 connects the slide bar 76 with the rod 18. The casing 72 is provided at its rear end adjacent the point. where it is attached to the rail 1 with the I down-turned lugs 82 and springs 83 are connected at their rear ends to said lugs and at their forward ends to the ends of the pin 79, said springs drawing the slide bar 76 rearwardly when the clutch mechanism is released. The brace member 84 is secured at 85 to the side rail 1., the inner end of said brace member being bent downwardly and extending beneath the casing 72. Said brace member is provided with an upwardly projeeting flange 86 at its inner end, attached to the sidewall of the casing 72, as shown in Figs. XIX and XXIII. The ball actuatingbar 88 is provided with a beveled end 89 which engages beneath the clutch ball 90. A ball retaining block 91 is secured within the casing 7 2 by means of the rivets 87 passing through the same. This block is provided with a ball retaining chamber 93 and a slot 94 extending transversely thereof and opening into said ball retaining chamber. The ball retaining chamber receives the clutch ball and the inner end of the ball actuating bar 88 is disposed in the slot 94. The end of the slide bar 76 rests on the upper surface ,of said ball retaining block. "A bell crank 66 is pivoted in the brace member 84 and connected to the ball actuating bar 88 and a spring 71 holds said bar nor- 7 anally projected. The bell crank is actuated as the casing shown in the preferred form,

of my construction, and is secured totlie front rail 1 by means of the screws 9 passing through 'the laterally directed flanges 7.

Ihe rear of the casing is split to form the rearwardly directed arms 6' secured to the rear rail by means of the screws 9 passing through the laterally directed flanges 8. A channel shaped slide bar 11 connected by the link 12' to the rod 13 is slidably disposed within the casing 6 and carries at its forward end a block 14 secured thereto by the downturned tongues 15 struck out from the side walls of said channel shaped slide bar, the block 14 having a bearing on the upper wall of said channel shaped casing 6, all of which is as in the preferred form of my device. The fingers 21 and springs 22 connected to the lugs 23 are also the sameas in the preferred construction. A ball retaining block 17 is carried by said casing 6, the block being secured to said casing by means of rivets 20 passing therethrough, Said block has a ball retaining chamber 19 in which the clutch ball 18 is disposed and a slot 95 extends transversely of said block opening into the bottom of said ball retaining chamber-19. The slide bar rests on the upper surface of said ball retaining block. A channel shaped brace member 96 is secured at 97 to the side rail 1, and the inner end of said brace bar is bent downwardly and extends beneath the casing 6, being provided with an upturned flange 98 which is secured to the side wall of the'easing by the rivets 20' passing through the sidewalls of the casing and the ball retaining block 17. The ball actuating bar 99 having the beveled end 100 extends into the slot 95 in said block beneath the ball 18. A bell crank 66 is pivoted to a pin extending across said brace member, one arm of said bell crank being connected to one end of the ball actuating bar 99 to actuate the same. Said bell crank is actuated by a push rod and push button as in the other forms of my device. A spring 71 is connected to one arm of the bell crank and to a pin 67 extending across said brace member so as to hold said ball actuating bar normally projected tolift the ball into engagement with one of the ball seats. It will be seen that in this way I have produced a very effective casing and struceffectively guides and supports the slide bar connected to the back, and the clutch mechanism therefor, and at the same time acting as a brace for the framework of the chair.

I am aware that the particular embodiments of my invention which I have here shown are susceptible of considerable varia tion without departing from the spirit of my invention, and, therefore, I do not wish to be restricted to the same. I have found,

however, that these particular embodiments are to be preferred and I desire to claim the same specifically, as well as broadly, as indicated by my appended claims.

I claim 1. In a chair, the combination of a frame having front, side and rear rails and an adjustab-le back; a channel-shaped sheet metal casing secured at its front end to said front rail, the rear of said casing being spllt to form arms extending rearwardly and secured to said rear rail; a ball retaining block carried by said casing and provided with a notch forming with the side walls of said casing a ball retaining chamber and a groove extending transversely of said block and opening into the bottom of said ball retaining chamber; a slide bar, connected to said adjustable back, disposed in said casing and having its lower surface provided with a plurality of openings forming ball retaining seats; tongues struck out from the forward end of said slide bar; a block secured to said channel shaped slide bar by said tongues, the top of said block extending slightly above the side walls of said slide bar and engaging the top of said channel shaped casing; laterally directed fingers struck out from the forward end of said slide bar, said fingers extending through slots provided in the side walls of said casing; lugs struck out from said rearwardly extending arms on said casing; springs connecting said fingers with said lugs; a clutch ball disposed within said ball retaining chamber; a ball actuating bar having a beveled inner end disposed in said ball retaining block below said clutch ball; and means for actuating said bar to release the clutch, all coaeting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

2. In a chair, the combination of a frame having front, side andrrear rails and an adjustable back; a channel shaped sheet metal casing secured at its front end to said front rail, the rear of said casing being split to form arms extending rearwardly and secured to said rear rail; a ball retaining block carried by said casing and provided with a notchforming with the side walls of said casing a ball retaining chamber and a groove extending transversely of said block and opening into the bottom of said ball retaining chamber; a slide bar connected to said adjustable back, disposed in said casing and having its lower surface provided with a plurality of openings forming ball retaining seats; a block secured to said channel shaped slide bar, the top of said block extending slightly above the side walls of said slide bar and engaging the top of said channel shaped casing; laterally directed fingers struck out from the forward end of said slide bar said fingers extending through slots provided in the side walls of said casing; lugs struck out from said rearwardly extending arms on. said casing; springs connecting said fingers with said lugs; a clutch ball disposed within said ball retaining chamber; a ball actuating bar having a beveled inner end disposed in said ball retaining block below said clutch ball; and means for actuating said bar to release the clutch, all coacting substantially as de scribed and for the purpose specified.

3. In a chair, the combination of a frame having front, side and rear rails and an adjustable back; a channel-shaped sheet metal casing secured at its front end to said front rail, the rear of said casing being split to form arms extending rearwardly and secured to said rear rail; a ball retaining block carried by said casing and provided with a notch forming with the side. walls of said casing a ball retaining chamber, and a groove extending transversely of said block and opening into the bottom of said ball retaining chamber; a slide bar, connected to said adjustable back, disposed in said casing and having its lower surface provided with a plurality of openings forming ball retaining seats; laterally directed fingers struck out from the forward end of said slide bar, said fingers extending through slots provided in the side walls of said casing; lugs struck out from saidrcarwardly extending arms on said casing; springs connecting said fingers with said lugs; a clutch ball disposed within said ball retaining chamber; a ball actuating bar having a beveled inner end disposed in said ball retaining block below said clutch ball; and means for actuating said bar to release the clutch, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

4. In a chair, the combination of a frame, having front and rear rails and an adjustable back; a channel-shaped sheet metal casing secured at its ends to said front and rear rails respectively; a ball retaining block carried by said casing and provided with a notch forming with the side walls of said casing a ball retaining chamber and a groove extending transversely of said block and opening into the bottom of said ball retaining chamber; a slide bar, connected to said adjustable back, disposed in said cas-' having front and rear rails and an adjustable back; 'a channel-shaped sheet metal casing secured at its ends to said front and rear rails respectively, sald casing being provided with longitudinal slots in the side walls thereof; a slide bar connected to said adjustable back and disposed in said casing; clutch mechanism carried by said casing and engaging said slide bar to hold the same against movement; laterally directed figers struck out fromthe forward end of said slide bar and extending through said slots in the side walls .of said casing; spring connections engaging said fingers to draw said slide bar rearwardly; and means for actuating said clutch mechanism, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

6. In a chalr, having front and rear rails and an ad ustsable back; a channel shaped sheet metal casing secured at its ends to said front and rear ra ls respectively; a slide bar connected to said adjustable back and disposed in said casing; clutch mechanism carried by said casing and engaging said slide bar to hold the same against movement; laterally directed fingers struck out from the forward end of said slide bar; spring connections engaging said fingers to draw said slide bar rearwardly; and means for actuating said clutch mechanism, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

7 In a chair the combination of a frame, having front and rear rails and an adjustable back; a channel shaped sheet metal casing secured at its ends to said front and rear rails respectively; a ball retaining block provided with a ball retaining chamber carried by said casing; a channel shaped slide bar, connected to said adjustable back, disposed in said casing above said block and having its lower surface provided with a plurality of ball seats; tongues struck out from the forward end of said slide bar; a block secured to said channel shaped slide bar by said tongues, the top of said block extending slightly above the side walls of said slide bar and engaging the top of said channel shaped casing; a clutch ball digthe combination of a frame,

posed within said ball retaining chamber; and means for actuating said clutch ball to lift the same into engagement with one of said ball seats, all coacting substantially as, described and for the purpose specified.

8. In a chair, the combination of a frame, having front and rear rails and an adjustable back; a channel shaped sheet metal casing secured at its ends to said front and rear rails respectively; a ball retaining block provided with a ball retaining chamber carried by said casing; a channel shaped slide bar, connected to said adjustable back, disposed in said casing above said block and having its lower surface provided with a plurality of ball seats; a block secured to said channel shaped slide bar, the top of said block extending slightly above the side walls of said slide bar and engaging the top of said channel shaped casing;a clutch ball disposed within said ball retaining chamber; and means for actuating said clutch ball to lift the same into engagement with one of said ball seats, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified. V

9. In a chair, the combination of a frame, having front and rear rails and an adjustable back; a channel shaped sheet metal casing secured at its ends to said front and rear rails respectively; a ball retaining block carried by said casing, said block being pro;

vided with a notch, forming with the side walls of said casing a ball retaining chamber and a groove extending transversely of said ;block and opening into the bottom of saidb'all retaining chamber; a slide bar connected to said adjustable back, and provided with a plurality of ball seats; a clutch ball disposed within said ball retaining chamber; a ball actuating bar having a beveled inner end disposed in said block below said clutch ball; and means for actuating said bar to lift said ball into engagement with one of said ball seats, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

10. In a chair, the combination of a frame having front and rear rails and an adjustable back; a channel shaped sheet metal casing provided at its front end with laterally directed flanges secured to said front rail, the rear of said casing being secured to said real," rail, said casing being provided at its frame, having front and rear rails and an adjustable back; a channel shaped sheet metal casing secured at its ends to said front and rear rails respectively; a slide bar disposed in said casing and connected to said adjustable back; a block carried by said casing; clutch mechanism carried by said block for holding said slide bar against movement; a brake shoe disposed within said casing and having a pair of depending legs at each end thereof; a shoulder on the rear of said brake shoe; a shoulder on said clutch block adapted to engage said brake shoe shoulder to limit the downward movement thereof; a pin extending transversely between the side Walls of said casing; a leaf spring carried by said pin and engaging the under surface of said brake shoe to force the same upwardly in said casing; a bracket carried by said casing; and a screw carried by said bracket and engaging the free end of said leaf spring to vary the tension of said leaf spring on said shoe, said brake shoe yieldingly engaging the under surface of said slide bar when the same is moved forwardly in said casing, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

12. In a chair, the combination of a frame, having front and rear rails and an adjustable back; a channel shaped sheet metal casing secured at its ends to said front and rear rails respectively; a slide bar disposed in said casing and connected to said adjustable back; a block carried by said casing; clutch mechanism carried by said block for holding said slide bar against movement; a brake shoe disposed within said casing; a pin extending transversely between the side Walls of said casing; a leaf spring carried by said pin and engaging the under surface of said brake shoe to force the same upwardly in said casing; a bracket carried by said casing; and a screw carried by said bracket and engaging the free end of said leaf spring to vary the tension of said leaf spring on said shoe, said'brake shoe yieldingly engaging the under surface of said slide bar when the same is moved forwardly in said casing, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

13. In a chair, the combination of a frame, having front'and rear rails and an adjustable back; a channel shaped sheet metal casing secured at its ends to said front and rear rails respectively; a slide bar disposed in said casing and connected to said adjustable back; a block carried by said casing; clutch mechanism carried by said block for holding said slide bar against movement; a brake shoe disposed within said casing; a leaf spring engaging the under surface of said brake shoe to force the same upwardly in said casing; a bracket carried by said casing; and a screw carried by said bracket and engaging the free end of said leaf spring to vary the tension of said leaf spring on said shoe, said brake shoe yieldingly engaging the under surface of said slide bar when the same is moved forwardly in said casing, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

14. In a chair, the combination of a frame, having front and rear rails and an adjustable back; a channel shaped sheet metal casing secured at its ends to said front and rear rails respectively; a slide bar disposed in said casing and connected to said adjustable back; a block carried by said casing; clutch mechanism carried by said block for holding said slide bar against movement; a

brake shoe disposed within said casing; and a leaf spring engaging the under surface of said brake shoe to force the same upwardly in said casing, said brake shoe yieldingly engaging the under surface of said slide bar when the same is moved forwardly in said casing, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

15. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a chair provided with an adjustable back, of means for adjusting said back comprising a slide bar pivotally secured to said adjustable back, means for clutching and releasing said slide bar to hold the back in its adjusted position, and brake means engaging said slide bar to retard the rearward movement thereof when said clutch is released.

16. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a chair having an adjustable back, of means for holding said back in its adjusted position, and means for retarding the forward movement of said back when the holidng means is released.

17. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a chair having an adjustable back, of means for adjusting said back to various positions, and means for controlling the rate of movement of said back.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

JERROLD r. WALTON. [11.8.]

Witnesses;

MARTHA J. GREGORY, C. B. DES JARDINs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

